Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
Human Rights News & Events

WCL Events

 

1. TODAY!!! IS THE CONCEPT OF GENOCIDE OBSOLETE? REFLECTIONS OF THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RWANDAN GENOCIDE
   Tuesday, April 7, 12pm - 1:20pm, Rm. 602
   

   Please join the Center for a lunch discussion and screening of the short 15 minute film, “A Good Man in Hell” which combines portions of Ted Koppel’s 2002 interview with General Romeo Dallaire with additional background information on the Rwanda genocide.  Following the screening, Center Executive Director Hadar Harris will moderate a discussion centered around the meaning and relevance of the term genocide and its implications for Darfur and other human rights and humanitarian crises. Lunch will be served. Sponsored by the WCL Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Student Advisory Board.
   For mor information, c ontact the Center at humlaw@wcl.american.edu or 202-274-4180.
   
   

2. ADVISING SESSION: G ENDER AND YOU LEGAL STUDIES
   Tuesday, April 7, 3pm - 4pm, Rm. 526

• Do you want to know what gender and the law classes are being offered next year before registration?
• Are you interested in learning about how to pursue a career in family law, LGBT or women’s rights, or how to volunteer while working at a law firm?
• Do you wonder what activities and opportunities you can participate in outside the classroom at WCL?

This week the Women and the Law Program will host two information sessions highlighting the Gender and Law related course offerings at WCL for the Fall 2009 Semester: one on Tuesday, April 7th and the second on Friday, April 10th.  Both sessions will offer an opportunity to have your questions answered by the Women and the Law Program staff and faculty members who teach WCL’s gender and law courses. There is no significant difference between these two information sessions, so please come to the session that best suits your schedule. If you cannot make either session, the Women and the Law Program hosts office hours each Tuesday from 2:00- 4:00pm and by appointment. Feel free to stop by and ask questions about classes, planning your schedule, or anything else that is on your mind. To make an appointment email wilp@wcl.american.edu.

3. ROOTS & WINGS INTERNATIONAL BENEFIT RECEPTION
   Tuesday, April 7, 6:30pm - 8:30pm, The Art Museum of the Americas at the Organization of American States, 201 18th Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
   Roots & Wings International currently provides full-tuition university scholarships to 29 students from indigenous families that earn less than $2 per day. All scholarship recipients come from coffee-growing communities in rural Guatemala, and they are first in their families to study past elementary school. This cocktail reception features Special Guest Speaker, H.E. Francisco Villagran de Leon, Ambassador of Guatemala. The reception costs $85 to attend, which covers one month of college tuition. Please RSVP at www.rootsandwingsintl.org/rsvp.
   
   
4. RELEASE OF THE BILINGUAL INTERNATIONAL LAW REVIEW ISSUE: "INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT"
   Tuesday, April 7, 4:00pm - 6:00pm, Dean's Suite
   Come celebrate the release of this bilingual issue, a dual effort of The Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law and The International Law Review.
   
   
5. ADVOCACY AGAINST IMMIGRATION DETENTION: "STOP THE FARMVILLE DETENTION CENTER"
   Wednesday, April 8, 12pm - 12:50pm, Rm. 415
   Jeff Winder from The People United will be visiting the WCL for a lunch discussion about the immigrants’ rights advocacy work of his organization.  The People United has been featured in The New York Times and The Washington Post articles based on its opposition to a new immigrant detention center planned by private developers and city officials in Farmville, VA.  This discussion will be especially interesting in light of suspension of activities at nearby Piedmont Jail after the death of an inmate on November 28, 2008.  Jeff Winder’s talk will raise awareness in the WCL community about advocacy activities and shed light on the future for immigrant detention and alternatives. For more information about this group, including links to the news coverage, see http://www.thepeopleunited.org/index.php?lang=eng and http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/us/28detain.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/B/Bernstein,%20Nina.
   
   
6. ADVISING SESSION: FAMILY LAW AND GENDER AND THE LAW
   Friday, April 10th, 11:00am- 12:00pm, 6th Floor Student Lounges
   

   On Friday, the Women and the Law Program will host an additional advising session highlighting the Gender and Law related course offerings at WCL for the Fall 2009 Semester. There is no significant difference between these two information sessions, so please come to the session that best suits your schedule. If you cannot make either session, the Women and the Law Program hosts office hours each Tuesday from 2:00- 4:00pm and by appointment. Feel free to stop by and ask questions about classes, planning your schedule, or anything else that is on your mind. To make an appointment email wilp@wcl.american.edu.
   

7. PETER EICHSTAEDT, AFRICA EDITOR, INSTITUTE FOR WAR AND PEACE REPORTING
   Monday, April 13, 12pm - 1:30pm, 4301 50th Street Conference Room
   

   Come join us for a discussion of Peter Eichstaedt’s new book, First Kill Your Family: Child Soldiers of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army. Eichstaedt is the Africa Editor for the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, which is based in The Hague. He has worked as a journalist and news media advisor in the Balkans, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Afghanistan and most recently Uganda. In the book, Eichstaedt describes his journey into the war-torn villages and refugee camps, talking to former child soldiers, child “brides,” and other victims. He also examines the cult-like convictions of the army; how a pervasive belief in witchcraft, the spirit world, and the supernatural gave rise to this and other deadly movements; and what the global community can do to bring peace and justice to the region. Please RVSP by e-mailing warcrimes@wcl.american.edu. Lunch will be served.

Community Events

 

1. WOMEN, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE LAW IN THE MAGHREB: ACHIEVEMENTS OR CHALLENGES?
   Wednesday, April 8, 12:30pm - 1:30pm, Marrakesh Palace, 2147 P Street NW
   

   Dr. Loubna Skalli-Hanna is Assistant Professor of International Development in the School of International Service at the American University, Washington, D.C. Her teaching and research examine issues at the intersections of politics, gender, youth, development and communications in the Middle East and North Africa. Active outside the University, Dr. Skalli-Hanna is a member of many inter/national NGOs:  She is a member of the Scientific Committee of the UNESCO Chair: “Woman and Her Rights.” She is also on the Board of Directors of the Washington-based Maghreb Center for policy and research on North Africa, and the Vice-Chair of Injaz, a Moroccan-American Woman’s Organization based in the Greater DC area. She is the author of numerous articles, book chapters and two books: Through a Local Prism: Gender, Globalization and Identity in Moroccan Women’s Magazines (Rowman and Littlefield, 2006), and Vulture Culture: the Politics and Pedagogy of Television Talk Shows (Peter Lang, 2005). Please RSVP to this event at rsvp@unanca.org.
   

2. DALAI LAMA IN ALBANY, NY
   Sunday, April 19, 2pm, Times Union Center in Albany, NY
   The World Ethical Foundations Consortium will hold its first formal gathering in New York’s Capital Region April 18 ��� 22, 2009. During its inaugural event, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will deliver a public address, and specialized panels uniting world- renown experts, leaders and dignitaries will be held. To learn more about the World Ethical Foundations Consortium, His Holiness’ public address, panels and panelists, and how you can participate in this extraordinary endeavor, please visit http://www.worldethicalf oundations.org.

Announcements & Professional Development Opportunities

 

1. JENNIFER DE LAURENTIIS, SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE DEAN, IS SEEKING A SUMMER DEAN'S FELLOW
   Jennifer de Laurentiis, Special Assistant to the Dean, is seeking a Dean's Fellow for the summer.  The position involves 10-20 hours per week of legal research and writing concerning the prohibition of torture, as well as administrative tasks.  Knowledge of Spanish is helpful, but is not required.  Interested students should promptly submit a one-page cover letter and resume via e-mail to jdelaurentiis@wcl.american.edu and reference “Dean’s Fellow” in the subject line.
   
   
2. WOMEN AND THE LAW PROGRAM IS SEEKING A SUMMER DEAN'S FELLOW
   

   Are you interested in helping to advance and shape WCL's feminist legacy? Working for the Women and the Law Program is an excellent way to tap into the gender resources of WCL and to have an impact on future programs and opportunities for students interested in gender issues. Responsibilities will include:

   • Helping to organize our upcoming conferences and academic roundtables, including our June conference on ‘Gender and Justice’ featuring women judges from around the world.
   • Managing the list serve, website, and database we use to communicate with the campus community, potential students, and women's rights groups around the globe.
   • Preparing materials for students about WCL's gender programming, and communicating with students from around the world regarding the opportunities to study gender and the law at WCL.
   • Administering the Alice Paul Feminist Jurisprudence Essay Contest.
   • Assisting with research on issues in gender and law.

   Organizational and writing skills are important. A 20 hour/week commitment is preferred.

   To apply: Send a cover letter, resume, and brief writing sample to Angie McCarthy, Program Coordinator of the Women and the Law Program, to angiem@wcl.american.edu with “Summer Dean's Fellow” in the subject line.
   
   

3. PROFESSOR ANN SHALLECK IS SEEKING A SUMMER DEAN'S FELLOW
   

   Professor Ann Shalleck seeks a summer research assistant to work up to 20 hours per week on issues of narrative theory, jurisprudence, the relationship of social welfare law and family law, feminist theory and clinical theory.  Please bring a resume and cover letter to Melissa Manning in room 417 or send them as attachments to an email to mmanning@wcl.american.edu by Friday, April 17, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.
   

4. THE ABA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ANNOUNCES THE SIXTH ANNUAL LAW STUDENT WRITING COMPETITION
   Law students are invited to submit articles addressing domestic violence and the law from a national or international perspective. The first place winner will recieve be published in the American University Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law, a Resolution from the ABA Commission on Domestic Violence, and honorarium. Second and third place winners will also recieve a Resolution from the ABA Commission on Domestic Violence. All winners’ names and papers will also appear on the ABA Commission on Domestic Violence website at www.abanet.org/domviol. The deadline for submissions is May 31, 2009, 5:00 p.m. EST via email at runger@staff.abanet.org. Winners will be notified in August 2009. For additional info on submission guidelines, please visit www.abanet.org/domviol.
   
   
5. BREAK THE CYCLE IS SEEKING A STATE POLICY ATTORNEY
   Break the Cycle is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to engage, educate and empower youth to build lives and communities free from domestic and dating violence. The State Policy Attorney is responsible for coordinating our state policy agenda; researching and analyzing state laws and bills that impact the rights and access to services for survivors of teen dating violence; and working collaboratively with domestic and sexual violence service providers, local legislators, youth service providers and other local and national advocates to help them develop and implement policies to better serve teens.  The State Policy Attorney also provides one-on-one consultation to service providers and conducts impact work and advocacy within service systems. The State Policy Attorney reports directly to the Policy & Technical Assistance Manager and supervises volunteers and interns.
   
   Email, fax or mail cover letter and resume to:
   
   State Policy Attorney Search
   Break the Cycle
   P.O. Box 21034
   Washington, DC 20009
   
   Fax: 202.824.0747
   Email: jobs@breakthecycle.org
   
   
6. THE ROBERT F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS IS SEEKING AN ADVOCACY OFFICER
   The Advocacy Officer will work with RFK Human Rights Award laureates to develop and implement joint
   domestic and international legal, advocacy and communications strategies to achieve laureates' social change
   goals. S/he will develop coalitions and enhance their effectiveness, produce campaign, advocacy, legal, and
   media strategies, raise public awareness, while expanding the tool set already used by the laureates and
   contributing to the capacity of the RFK laureates. The Advocacy Officer will also initiate and lead
   comprehensive research projects to support the laureates' strategies. S/he will act as the main interface between
   the RFK Center and its laureates. The Advocacy Officer will provide additional support, as requested by the
   Director of the RFK Center for Human Rights.
   
   The ideal candidate will have experience with domestic and international human rights mechanisms; a working
   knowledge of U.S. Congressional legislative process, the United Nations system, regional human rights systems
   and multi-lateral institutions; ability to maintain active contacts with key stakeholders in all four systems and their
   staff to support the goals and objectives of the RFK Human Rights Award laureates; and excellent written and
   verbal communication skills. Knowledge of Sudan, Darfur, Western Sahara and U.S. domestic human rights
   issues is strongly preferred. A Juris Doctor's degree or equivalent with at least 3 years of experience in the human rights field and/or
   legislative arena is required. Fluency in Arabic and French is strongly preferred. Salary commensurate with
   experience.
   
   If interested, please e-mail a cover letter, resume, writing sample and 3 references by April 10, 2009 to:
   Fernanda Katz Ellenberg
   Subject: Advocacy Officer Position
   ellenberg@rfkcenter.org
   
   
7. THE D.C. EMPLOYMENT JUSTICE CENTER IS SEEKING A STAFF ATTORNEY
   The D.C. Employment Justice Center (EJC) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit with a mission to secure, protect and promote workplace justice in the D.C. metropolitan area. The staff attorney will (1) assist workers with wage and hour claims at the D.C. Department of Employment Services Office of Wage & Hour (OWH), (2) represent workers in wage and hour cases in D.C. Superior Court and before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, (3) advocate for better enforcement of wage and hour claims, and (4) conduct outreach to and provide legal advice and assistance to workers with wage and hour claims, focusing on Spanish speaking workers.  The staff attorney will report to the EJC’s Legal Services managing attorney.  In addition, the staff attorney, along with the other EJC attorneys, will supervise the EJC's Workers' Rights Clinic, a free walk-in legal clinic designed to assist low-income workers with employment law problems, on a rotating basis.  Limited evening and weekend hours are required for the clinic, meetings and special events.

   
   Qualified candidates must have the following related skills and experience:
   - At least one year of solid litigation experience, including some experience before the D.C. Superior Court or the United States District Court for the District of Columbia;
   -A law degree and membership in the D.C. bar;
   -Fluency in Spanish;
   -Some experience with and knowledge of federal and/or D.C. wage and hour laws;
   -An entrepreneurial spirit; and
   -Excellent oral and written communication skills.
   
   To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample and at least two references to Courtney Chappell at cchappell@dcejc.org.  Alternatively, applications may be mailed to the D.C. Employment Justice Center at 727 15th Street, NW, 2nd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20005 / Attention: Courtney Chappell.

 

 

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